The proposed construction of a seven-unit, three-storey townhome on Fairview Road was rejected by Penticton council during a public hearing on Tuesday evening.
Located just south of Martin Street in front of the city’s Lake-to-Lake bike lane, the “modest densification” project was shot down by a vote of 5-1 after little discussion among members of council.
“I have significant concerns over the location and the access onto this property for seven units,” said coun. Julius Bloomfield. “To be using direct access from Fairview at that junction is not optimum.”
While traffic on Fairview Road headlined Bloomfield’s worries, uncertainty over garbage collection at the property because of the bike lane was also mentioned.
“There is no back-lane access, so all of the traffic is going to be coming out of the front and onto Fairview,” he added. “If you look at all the other buildings alongside it, they all have access onto lanes or streets at the back.”
The city received three public letters of opposition in response to the project, with limited on-site parking and too much density in the area among the concerns listed.
Those comments, however, were quickly minimized by the developer.
“It sounds like parking is a hot issue for many in the neighbourhood, but these parking regulations that the city has come up with have been explored for many years,” said Tony Giroux. “While there may be issues at times with parking, to get houses we need, we have to find a different way to deal with the parking situation and this is the way that seems to be working the best.”
A total of nine parking spaces would be provided, as a result of the development, with each unit having its own two-vehicle garage.
Coun. Katie Robinson was the only one to vote in favour of the townhomes.
Those who live nearby the proposed development, meanwhile, voiced their frustration at the public hearing over the bike lane’s impact on traffic, density and parking at Fairview Road.
Though opposed, Bloomfield said he would feel differently about the project if there was back-lane access onto the property.
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